Defense officials gather at President's Residence to receive awards; are feted by Herzog, who declares that Israel 'will continue to stand firm in the face of every enemy'

Three months after launch, control of the state-of-the-art reconnaissance satellite is handed over from Defense Ministry to IDF

Defense minister hails Ofek 16 and country's other technologies as critical to security

A week after being launched into orbit, Ofek-16 undergoes initial systems checks before being made operational

Defense Ministry says Ofek-16, an 'optoelectronic reconnaissance satellite with advanced capabilities,' blasted off at 4 a.m., undergoing tests after entering orbit